Even though Hours of Service reform has been on a “fast track” since last year, progress has been slow. Now though, the Department of Transportation has announced that it is expecting to publish the new proposed rule in early June.
Though HOS reform has been needed for years now, the passage of the ELD mandate made the need for increased flexibility even more apparent. FCMSA Administrator Ray Martinez told industry groups that HOS reform efforts would be happening on “a very aggressive time line.”
Since then however, HOS reform has faced one setback after another. Initially, the FMCSA expected new HOS rules to be proposed by March of 2019. When a huge number of comments were received on the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the deadline for comments was extended. The partial government shutdown at the beginning of the year likely set back progress even further.
March came and went with no further announcements, but in early April the DOT announced that the proposed rule had been sent to the White House for approval. Now, finally, we have a new estimate – June 7th, 2019. After it’s released, the public will have until July 26th to submit a comment on the rule.
Even if everything progresses smoothly from here on out, normal regulatory requirements will likely mean a new rule won’t go into effect until at least 2020, with an implementation date some time in 2021 being at least as likely.
Source: overdrive, ttnews, truckersreport, truckersreport
Gwin says
Well, shoot. I’ll be long retired by the time they get this in gear. Surprise, surprise.
Allen Carter says
Hahahahahaha I retired 8 years ago and still driving my own truck. I love it. Sacking up that $$$$ until I bought a dam cascadia, pure junk did I say junk. After 56 years I found the master piece ( LEMON )
Mark Davidson says
How about giving waivers to us long term drivers out here. After 48 yrs with zero logbook infractions and 5 million safe miles its insulting to measured by the same standards as a driver who tripped out of truck driving school last week. Focus on them and just leave us alone. That would incentives new drivers to be diligent with the future of knowing it will eventually go away. I think 10 clean years and your a proven commodity go and enjoy your career.
Grim Reaper says
I’m already retired!! Enjoying it more than I thought
The Real Deal says
Leave it up to government to supposedly fix something that didn’t need fixed and then take forever to supposedly fix it again. LOL
Chris says
What a waste of time. Almost guaranteed it won’t be much better than what we have now. Definitely not worth all the time and money they spent on it. Just get rid of the HOS rules, let us do what is good for ourselves. Crack down on safety issues and unsafe driving. Make the penalties so severe no one will want to screw up. Just like I’ve been doing for the last 23 years. No wrecks, no safety violations, and I’m never hurrying racing a clock.
Allen Carter says
Laws are made to create $$$$ for the fat cats
Shane Wilson says
You’re right, follow the money and see how many of these supposed rule makers are making millions on these elds.
MrYowler says
Agree with Allen Carter. The rules have never been about safety; they have always been about taking control away from the people that are held responsible, and generating revenue for everyone else.
I’ll be watching for it, but I’d be very surprised if new rules represent a change in this decades-old behavior.
Remember, it’s the “legal system” – not the “justice system” – for a reason.
mousekiller says
A lot of the old timers had no issue with the then HOS we could stop the truck without penalty. Then the changes came out of the wood work and it began the slide down hill. Until the driver learn to talk to the the legislators and communicate with the FMCSA we are robots. The ELD is taking the thought process out of trucking today and what we are seeing every where is proof of that.Drivers, if you don’t communicate with the law makers don’t complain . Just be that worker ant.
Phloda says
Get ready for a lot of solar and wind power projects plus getting high speed internet to people who made the conscious choice to live 50 miles off the grid.
Oh, and the road project part of the funds will be eaten up with enviromental impact studies (for existing roads too) and paying lawyers to fight all the environmental and NIMBY law suits.
Don’t even ask about the requirement for union labor which will inflate all the construction costs by at least 30 percent.
Phloda says
Sorry. Posted the above on wrong story.
Good luck with the HOS revisions.
Tim says
There must be some regulation to let Us govern ourselves won’t work. Too many irresponsible drivers and companies pushing the limits. Forget about common sense this the government. 85% I I run Ag exempted but I do have to log occasionally and I’m pushed to the limit
Buddy says
Too bad these stupid shirts have no ideal about the trucking business!
Les gvt says
Dont forget though ELD mandate is just step one in taxing you by the mile in your POV at the federal level. Soon it will be coming to junior delivering pizza on Friday night
waynesworld says
Smfh, fuck that 14hr clock of the hos, i do know they will eventually nail all gliders and the ones that have 99 models motors and what not eventually with elogs but by the time they do that I’ll be retired myself so I still win over fmcsa
Griz says
Every one of them should have to try to work and live under the requirements they put upon others. I understand the logistical nightmare that would represent, but I would love to see them have to sleep on an exit ramp instead of in their own bed, or have to stop and be overtaken by a major storm, or be stuck somewhere with no food or bathroom because someone else held them up . . . because some damn electronic box said they had been on duty too many hours that day to be a safe driver.
And how about a refundable tax credit for all the income they’ve cost us while they meddled about with their fool notions of what they think is “safe”, even while it makes things more unsafe than ever before? (See the Truckers Report on how ELD’s have actually increased accidents).
Fordman says
And they wonder why there is a driver shortage
John brueckman says
I have one comment that will fix this park the damn trucks they will do what ever we say in a week.
Philip Dyar says
I will second that motion but we will never come together as one until it’s to late
Darrin Moody says
And that’s the biggest problem of all
Barry says
United we stand divided we fall the day two truck drivers come together maybe a good thing for more money three times the amount you getting paid for by the mile have a nice day guys did it for 35 years keep the shiny side up
Delmond R Morrison says
Amen
com.bil says
Q good disciple teaches by his lead not his attitude !
Kevin says
I agree if the truckers could unite long enough they could shut this country down. Then the powers that be, that have no idea about what it takes to drive a truck might start listening and change this BS The ELD doesn’t make things safer by NO means! It was a way for someone to get a lot richer.
John. T says
yeah I agree with john Brucekman we all need to stand together but there’s a problem WE WON’T!!!We have a bunch of steering wheel holders out here Old school is DEAD!!! There’s no BROTHER Hood NO CLASS OR RESPECT!!no one cares O let’s not forget all the foreigners I won’t say anything about that we can’t even come together and help a fellow driver out on the road much less stand together to fight legislators and the FMCAS sorry to say it but this industry has went to shit I’m a second generation driver teaching my son the 3rd generation yes he was taught old school all the way I think that’s were its start’s teaching a forgotten way old school trucking stand together fight for our industry but that’s just my opinion sorry if I offended anyone
Ingrid Brown says
FMCSA never stated March 2019 as a release date. They never released any dates until the release this week. It was explained to many groups and individuals and at MATS that tentatively they were working toward the end of Spring. And even June is a targeted date as you’ll see if you research.
John F. Belcher says
Truck drivers will never unite as one. It won’t be allowed by the government.
Jerry miller says
I think computers do not belong in trucks they do not belong in cars either or any kind of equipment if the fmcsa wants to do something use ful go after. The company’s that like to steel drivers pay checks from them they need stiff penalties for that
John Latta says
After 32 yrs of various driving jobs I retired over a year ago. Driving a truck was enjoyable and profitable but gradual changes in rules and HOS made it less enjoyable and profitable. I thought I’d miss it but with all the rules and equipment modifications, too lengthy to mention, I don’t. Good luck attracting good drivers with more rules to an industry suffering driver shortages.
Steve says
Just go back to old sleeper berth laws or old law they can sleep 5 and extend 5 hours once and follow by 10 hours off duty or sleeper to free up over hour problems and get to a safe haven to sleep
Greg says
They aren’t going to fix anything for us Drivers,! If they wanted this problem to be over, just go back to paper logs and leave us alone.! Everyone was happy and everything got delivered. There was never any problem from the start, just someone s pocket to be lined… And from the start I have always said “Park, and elogs would be gone in about 6-8 hours.. stop all movements. Block all fueling.. just stick together and park..! But that’s too easy.!! Stick together.
Liam says
They would deem that as unionizing and as the ceo of jb hunt said 20 years ago they will never participate in a slow roll. They’ll just haul the freight we won’t.
Tom says
I’ll be in an F350 haulin campers and using paper logs again by then.
Michael Lovitt says
The average driver won’t see anything from this unless he/she runs team. You can bet on that.